Joey Klecka

Nikiski teammates Lillian Carstens (left) and Tika Zimmerman team up for a block on Seward’s Shelby Sieminski, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Southcentral Conference volleyball preview: Bulldogs have plenty of contenders for the crown

As defending region and state champs, as well as the current No. 1 seed going into this weekend’s Southcentral Conference tournament, the Nikiski volleyball team… Continue reading

Nikiski teammates Lillian Carstens (left) and Tika Zimmerman team up for a block on Seward’s Shelby Sieminski, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at Nikiski High School in Nikiski, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Photo by Paul Landen                                Palm trees frame a sunset sky in the Maldives in summer of 2019.

‘Intrigued by places’

“Unknown Asia” details travels of KPC professor

Photo by Paul Landen                                Palm trees frame a sunset sky in the Maldives in summer of 2019.
NLC tournament preview: Fired-up SoHi looking for state berth

NLC tournament preview: Fired-up SoHi looking for state berth

Walking off Kenai Central’s Cliff Massie Court on Halloween night had the Soldotna volleyball team feeling the sting of a rivalry loss, one that head… Continue reading

NLC tournament preview: Fired-up SoHi looking for state berth
Soldotna running back Brenner Furlong (center) receives congratulations from teammates Zach Hanson (left) and Aaron Faletoi (right) after scoring a touchdown in Sept. 2017 at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Furlong notches 1st 100-yard game in college

Soldotna’s Brenner Furlong reached a new level in his college football career with his first 100-yard rushing game Saturday for Dakota State University. Furlong racked… Continue reading

Soldotna running back Brenner Furlong (center) receives congratulations from teammates Zach Hanson (left) and Aaron Faletoi (right) after scoring a touchdown in Sept. 2017 at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Youngren, Boonstra win at Freezer Food Series

Youngren, Boonstra win at Freezer Food Series

Megan Youngren won the first Freezer Food Series race of the winter season Sunday, beating a field of 28 runners on a cold, overcast day.… Continue reading

Youngren, Boonstra win at Freezer Food Series
Soldotna quarterback Jersey Truesdell throws a pass with pressure from Lathrop’s Jace Henry, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at the Div. II state football championship at Anchorage Football Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi lands 4 of 6 major All-State football awards

Hot off an eighth straight Division II state championship, the Soldotna Stars football program continued to haul in the postseason accolades Saturday with the release… Continue reading

Soldotna quarterback Jersey Truesdell throws a pass with pressure from Lathrop’s Jace Henry, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at the Div. II state football championship at Anchorage Football Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai races to 1st boys region swim title in school history

Kenai races to 1st boys region swim title in school history

By Joey Klecka Peninsula Clarion A region championship decades in the making was finally brought to reality Saturday afternoon in the Kenai Central High School… Continue reading

Kenai races to 1st boys region swim title in school history
Seward’s Lydia Jacoby races in the girls 200-yard IM final Nov. 3, 2018, at the 2018 ASAA swimming and diving state championships at Bartlett High School. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Region III swim championships come to Kenai

The top of the Northern Lights Conference swimming and diving scene received a shakeup last fall when the Palmer girls raced to the team title… Continue reading

Seward’s Lydia Jacoby races in the girls 200-yard IM final Nov. 3, 2018, at the 2018 ASAA swimming and diving state championships at Bartlett High School. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai holds off SoHi in 5 sets for thrilling senior night win; Wasilla tops Nikiski

Kenai holds off SoHi in 5 sets for thrilling senior night win; Wasilla tops Nikiski

Spooky things happen on Halloween night. Just ask the Soldotna volleyball team. The Class 4A Stars endured a house of horrors Thursday night at Kenai… Continue reading

Kenai holds off SoHi in 5 sets for thrilling senior night win; Wasilla tops Nikiski
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion file                                Bill Holt tells a fishing tale at Odie’s Deli on Friday, June 2, 2017, in Soldotna. Holt was among the seven storytellers in True Tales Told Live, an occasional storytelling event co-founded by Pegge Erkeneff, Jenny Neyman and Kaitlin Vadla.

Connecting through stories

True Tales Told Live to host workshop events

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion file                                Bill Holt tells a fishing tale at Odie’s Deli on Friday, June 2, 2017, in Soldotna. Holt was among the seven storytellers in True Tales Told Live, an occasional storytelling event co-founded by Pegge Erkeneff, Jenny Neyman and Kaitlin Vadla.
Season preview: Seward coach enters wrestling season for last time

Season preview: Seward coach enters wrestling season for last time

The dawn of another high school wrestling season also marks the swan song of a longtime coaching presence on the peninsula. Seward head coach Ronn… Continue reading

Season preview: Seward coach enters wrestling season for last time
Prep sports programs feel effects of new teacher’s contract

Prep sports programs feel effects of new teacher’s contract

The new teachers contract agreed to by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District last month touched many aspects on the peninsula, including sports programs and… Continue reading

Prep sports programs feel effects of new teacher’s contract
Homer edges SoHi for Luke Spruill wrestling title

Homer edges SoHi for Luke Spruill wrestling title

The spirit of the Luke Spruill Memorial Tournament at Kenai Central High School was on full display Saturday in the KCHS gym, where the Homer… Continue reading

Homer edges SoHi for Luke Spruill wrestling title
Kenai River Brown Bears goalkeeper Landon Pavlisin keeps an eye on the action during a game against the Janesville Jets, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Brown Bears GK Pavlisin nets NAHL division star of week

Kenai River Brown Bears goalkeeper Landon Pavlisin was awarded the North American Hockey League Midwest division star of the week Tuesday by the league. Pavlisin,… Continue reading

Kenai River Brown Bears goalkeeper Landon Pavlisin keeps an eye on the action during a game against the Janesville Jets, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Soldotna football team celebrate with the Alaska School Activities Association First National Bowl trophy Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at the Div. II state football championship at Anchorage Football Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

SoHi romps to 8th straight football title

Big team. Little me. The slogan that the Soldotna football team has rode to eight straight Division II state titles was never more evident Saturday… Continue reading

Members of the Soldotna football team celebrate with the Alaska School Activities Association First National Bowl trophy Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at the Div. II state football championship at Anchorage Football Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Members of the Soldotna football team pose with the trophy Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at the Div. II state football championship at Anchorage Football Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska. Soldotna defeated Lathrop 69-13. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna football dominates NLC All-Conference awards

Soldotna dominated All-Conference awards for the 2019 Northern Lights Conference, winning four of the five major accolades released Saturday. SoHi senior quarterback Jersey Truesdell took… Continue reading

Members of the Soldotna football team pose with the trophy Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, at the Div. II state football championship at Anchorage Football Stadium in Anchorage, Alaska. Soldotna defeated Lathrop 69-13. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)
Weekend volleyball roudup: SoHi fends off Kenai on emotional Senior Night; Nikiski, Homer, Seward, CIA also in action

Weekend volleyball roudup: SoHi fends off Kenai on emotional Senior Night; Nikiski, Homer, Seward, CIA also in action

Senior night for the Soldotna volleyball team took on added meaning Friday night following the tragic loss of a fellow student. The Stars defeated peninsula… Continue reading

Weekend volleyball roudup: SoHi fends off Kenai on emotional Senior Night; Nikiski, Homer, Seward, CIA also in action
Nikiski volleyball sweeps Seward

Nikiski volleyball sweeps Seward

The Nikiski volleyball team showed they still have what it takes Thursday night with a 3-0 Southcentral Conference victory over Seward at Nikiski High School.… Continue reading

Nikiski volleyball sweeps Seward
UAA hockey to play Green & Gold Game in Soldotna

UAA hockey to play Green & Gold Game in Soldotna

Peninsula hockey fans will receive a treat this weekend when the University of Alaska Anchorage program comes to town. For the first time in its… Continue reading

UAA hockey to play Green & Gold Game in Soldotna
Lathrop running back Josiah Opp gets swarmed by Soldotna’s Melvin Lloyd (left) and Jersey Truesdell Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Championship preview: SoHi vs. Lathrop for football supremacy

The seven-year stranglehold Soldotna football has had on the Division II state championship has seen its share of challengers, but perhaps none came as close… Continue reading

Lathrop running back Josiah Opp gets swarmed by Soldotna’s Melvin Lloyd (left) and Jersey Truesdell Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at Justin Maile Field in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)